Ron Artest Sr., Metta World Peace’s father, said his son’s preference is to remain with the Lakers, but if he is cut via the amnesty rule, he’d want to sign with either the Knicks or Nets.

A report stated the Lakers intended to waive Metta but subsequent reports state no decision has been made. And Kobe Bryant took to Twitter last night, saying the club should keep him and try to win a title with what they got.

The Knicks are in search of a defensive small forward off the free-agent market and World Peace, the Queensbridge product, would be seeking the $1.4 million veteran’s minimum.

“He wants to stay with the Lakers for a couple of more years but if not, he wants to finish his career in New York if he can,’’ said Artest Sr., who runs his own kids foundation out of New York. ”He prefers the Knicks but he wouldn’t turn down the Nets. He wanted to start his career with the Knicks. That didn’t happen. This would be full circle. ’’

In 1999, the Knicks infamously passed on the former Ron Artest with their first-round pick to select Frenchmen center Frederic Weis.

“The Knicks wouldn’t even have to pay him a lot,’’ Artest Sr. said. “Let’s hope and pray it happens.’’

The Lakers would save a bunch in salary and luxury tax. He’s making $7.7 million in his final season. The only concern with World Peace is his reputation as a powder keg. But the Knicks have struck out on most of their small-forward free-agent targets because they have so little to offer under CBA rules.

The Knicks and Nets would not get first crack at Metta. Teams under the cap would be eligible to bid on him first. However, a member of World Peace's foundation told ESPN NY he could “retire’’ if that occurred.